The U.S. in Korea: What Price Security?

In: Worldview, Volume 20, Issue 1-2, p. 23-37

Abstract

With the possible exception of Chile no other country in 1976 received as much critical American public and press attention as did Korea. Almost to the exclusion of other issues, the criticism has been directed to the denial of human rights. Press stories, editorials, letters to the editor, Congressional hearings and legislative restrictions, TV documentaries, church newsletters—all have deplored the erosion of civil liberties in South Korea. And as the criticisms mounted, more and more voices, including those from among the ranks of Korea's traditional friends, began calling for a reduction of United States military and economic support to this country, the rebirth of whose independence was gained, at a tremendous cost in American blood and treasure.